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Topic: A pan-Orthodox school? (Read 3585 times)

In the midst of all of these discussions about Orthodox jurisdictions I thought it would be an interesting idea to bring up the concept of a pan-Orthodox school.

Today, the only choice most Orthodox have is to bring up their kids in either a Greek school or Catholic school, outside of that some choose to homeschool (something I'm against in principle).

I think a non-jurisdictional Orthodox elementary and high school would be an interesting project. I think this is where pan-jurisdictional work would be most helpful. This would allow people to pool together their resources and create a school system which teaches kids in the Orthodox spirit, enables Orthodox kids to make Orthodox friends and reinforce the Orthodox identity. When the kids go home for the weekend they're free to attend their ethnic (or American) Orthodox church.

In the school there could be a very good cultural program. Instead of being offered Spanish and French, kids can study Orthodox languages and cultures: Greek, Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian (from which it is easy to learn romance languages like Spanish), Lebanese, Arabic, etc.

While it's hard to imagine schools like this springing up all over America, I think it's certainly possible to create a few in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago (probably the best bet), etc.

There is one in Pgh, and I think they're also doing one in the NE Ohio area (that I am aware of). As for the pariochial Orthodox schools, some of them are quite excellent (the one for St. Nicholas in Flushing, I've heard, is the best in the city; of course, it is a Greek Orthodox Parochial School, not a non-juris, but I believe it is open to all).

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"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov

While I am not aware about details, but I have heard really nice comments about this Pan-Orthodox school in Ohio. I think this should be an example for other areas. Here, in Washington, I can imagine it happening.

Theres a major parochial school called Orthodox Prep thas gonna start in 2007. Its located in Seattle. It will have children from ROCOR, OCA, GOA, JP, AOA, Ukrainian, Armenian, Ethiopic, Coptic, and Serb parishes. Very Pan-Orthodox indeed.

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"All this indignation have I hurled, At the pretending part of the proud world. Who, swollen with selfish vanity devise: false freedoms, holy cheats, and formal lies, Over their fellow slaves to tyrannize." - John Wilmot

This statement left me with two seperate moments of disbelief that happened soon after one another:1. I couldn't believe you actually said it;2. I couldn't believe I actually laughed once I realized it!

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"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov

This statement left me with two seperate moments of disbelief that happened soon after one another:1. I couldn't believe you actually said it;2. I couldn't believe I actually laughed once I realized it!

Justinian said "Pan-Orthodox"cizinec said "I didn't know Panama was Orthodox!"I said "I can't believe you just said that, and I found it funny!"

Logged

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov